Water treatment dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for use in a water purification apparatus and a water purification method for maintaining a water quality supply are provided. The cartridge comprises an elongated tubular body having first and second ends comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and an internal chamber extending between the first and second end. The first end includes an end cap having a first opening in fluid communication with the body. A disinfectant material is disposed in the internal chamber of the body. Filters are disposed in the elongated tubular body adjacent to the first opening and adjacent the second end of the elongated tubular body and are in fluid communication with the internal chamber and the fluid outlet. The second end of the elongated tubular body comprising an exterior surface having a tapered portion and a linear portion adjacent to the tapered portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No.62/576,169 filed Oct. 24, 2017, the contents of which are hereinincorporated in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

All modern dental units have a water supply that provides coolant andrinse water to the dynamic dental instruments including the high-speedhand piece, air/water syringe and ultrasonic scaler. This water supplyis connected to a domestic water source system. Microbiological studiesof this water supply revealed that the water is contaminated by waterorganisms and oral flora. Microorganisms colonize dental units andcontaminate dental treatment water. The formation of biofilm onwater-bearing surfaces in dental units results in fouling of the waterthat passes through the unit with high levels of suspended bacteria.These organisms have been found to be massive in number and someidentified as pathogenic. Dental researchers have stated that thiscontamination could cause infection in immuno-suppressed patients, andcross-infection may occur between dental patients.

Medical and dental uses of water require a supply of water that does notcontain organic, inorganic and pathogenic contaminants. Conventional tapwater must be treated to remove organic and inorganic materials anddestroy pathogenic contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses that aredetrimental to humans. Dental instruments used in dental treatmenttheaters and clinics utilize coolant and rinse water. The water supplycan be tap water or bottled water. The water supply can be contaminatedwith organic and inorganic materials including pathogenicmicroorganisms.

Biofilms include microbial masses attached to surfaces that are suffusedwith liquids, such as dental unit tubing. Organisms grow in organizedstructures with channels in between, similar to a vascular system. Thebiofilm remains attached as water flows through the dental unit tubing.However, some microbes in the biofilm may be periodically released intothe flowing fluid where they can be transported to the outlet of thewater line, e.g., the air/water syringe or spray hand piece or a bottle.Examples of microbes found in dental unit water lines include species ofwaterborne pseudomonas, legionella, klebsiella, moraxella, bacillus,flavobacterium, and escherichia as well as organisms common to the oralenvironment. Thus, biofilms can continually contaminate water flowingthrough a dental unit line.

Current approaches to improve the quality of dental water includewaterline flushing, independent reservoirs filled with distilled water,chemical “shock treatment,” continuous chemical treatment, mechanicalfiltration and automated in-line treatment devices. Waterline flushingmay temporarily reduce bacteria levels, however, the biofilm remainsactive, and at any given time a patient may be exposed to elevatedlevels of bacteria or viruses.

Therefore, a need exists for a dental water treatment system that has anantimicrobial effect but is not toxic or irritating to humans. Thetreated water desirably should not have an unpleasant taste or odor. Thesystem should detach biofilm and discourage subsequent reformation,while protecting the dental unit's internal components from corrosion ordegradation. If delivered continuously in treatment water, the systemdesirably should not reduce the effect on enamel or dental bondingagents.

SUMMARY

This application is directed to a cartridge for use in a waterpurification apparatus and water purification method for maintainingdental unit water quality. A water treatment dispensing apparatusincluding the cartridge described in this disclosure is also provided.

In some embodiments, a cartridge for treating water is provided. Thecartridge comprises an elongated tubular body having a first end, asecond end opposite the first end and an internal chamber extendingbetween the first end and the second end. The first end of the elongatedtubular body having a fluid inlet and the second end of the elongatedtubular body having a fluid outlet. The first end of the elongatedtubular body comprising an end cap having a substantially circularopening in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the internalchamber. A water treatment medium is disposed in the internal chamber ofthe elongated tubular body. A first filter is provided that is disposedin the elongated tubular body adjacent to the substantially circularopening and adjacent to the water treatment medium, and a second filteris disposed in the elongated tubular body adjacent the second end and influid communication with the internal chamber and the fluid outlet. Inother embodiments, the end cap further comprises an interior surface,the interior surface having swaging at discrete positions of theinterior surface.

In other aspects, a cartridge is provided for disinfecting water. Thecartridge comprises an elongated tubular body having a first endcomprising a fluid inlet, a second end opposite the first end, thesecond end comprising a fluid outlet, and an internal chamber extendingbetween the first and end and the second end and in fluid communicationwith the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The first end of theelongated tubular body comprises an end cap having a first opening influid communication with the elongated tubular body. A disinfectantmaterial is provided that is disposed in the internal chamber of thebody for disinfecting water. A first filter is disposed in the elongatedtubular body adjacent to the first opening and adjacent to thedisinfectant material, and a second filter is disposed in the elongatedtubular body adjacent the second end of the elongated tubular body andin fluid communication with the internal chamber and the fluid outlet.The second end of the elongated tubular body comprises an exteriorsurface, the exterior surface having a tapered portion and a linearportion adjacent to the tapered portion. In various aspects, the secondopening allows the disinfected water to flow out of the cartridge foruse with a dental unit water line, for example.

In yet another embodiment, a cartridge for disinfecting water isprovided, the cartridge comprising an elongated tubular body having afirst end comprising a fluid inlet, a second end opposite the first end,the second end comprising a fluid outlet, and an internal chamberdisposed between the first end and the second end. The first end of theelongated tubular body comprises an end cap having a substantiallycircular opening in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and theinternal chamber. A disinfectant material is provided that is disposedin the internal chamber of the body for disinfecting water. A firstfilter is disposed in the elongated tubular body adjacent to thesubstantially circular opening and adjacent to the disinfectantmaterial, and a second filter is disposed in the elongated tubular bodyadjacent the second end and in fluid communication with the internalchamber and the fluid outlet. The second end comprises an exteriorsurface. The exterior surface has a tapered portion and a linear portionadjacent to the tapered portion. In various embodiments, the exteriorsurface of the second end comprises a second opening for allowing thedisinfected water to flow out of the cartridge for use, for example,with a dental unit water line.

In other aspects, a water treatment dispensing apparatus forneutralizing and destroying pathogenic contaminants, water bornebacteria and viruses is provided. The apparatus comprises a containerhaving a compartment within for holding water and a neck having apassage open to the chamber. The container is releasably mounted on acap or another type of housing to allow the container to be removed forcleaning or replacement of a cartridge located inside the container. Acap is releasably mounted on the neck of the container, the cap havingfirst, second and third passages open to the passage in the neck. Awater supply unit can direct water to the first passage in the cap tosupply water to the compartment of the container. The water source canbe tap water or bottled water including distilled or deionized water. Anair pressure supply device operates to direct pressurized air to thesecond passage in the cap into the compartment of the container tosubject the water in the compartment of the container to air pressure. Acartridge containing a bed of disinfectant material located in theinternal compartment of the container has an end member connected to thecap directly or through an elongated straw to allow disinfected water toflow out of the cartridge through the cap or another type of housing toa desired location, for example, a dental unit purified water line. Theair pressure in the interior compartment forces the water in theinternal compartment of the container to flow through the cartridge to adental instrument.

Filters associated with the first and second ends of the cartridgeretain the bed of disinfectant material in the tubular body of thecartridge to remove organic, inorganic and microbiological contaminantsfrom the water flowing into and out of the cartridge. An air pressuregauge mounted on the cap is operable to monitor the pressure of the airin the compartment of the container. In particular, a cartridge usefulfor the water treatment dispensing apparatus comprises an elongatedtubular body having a first end comprising a fluid inlet, a second endopposite the first end, the second end comprising a fluid outlet, and aninternal chamber disposed between the first end and the second end. Thefirst end of the elongated tubular body comprises an end cap having asubstantially circular opening in fluid communication with the fluidinlet and the internal chamber. A disinfectant material is provideddisposed in the internal chamber of the body for disinfecting water. Afirst filter is disposed in the elongated tubular body adjacent to thesubstantially circular opening and adjacent to the disinfectantmaterial, and a second filter is disposed in the elongated tubular bodyadjacent the second end and in fluid communication with the internalchamber and the fluid outlet. The second end comprises an exteriorsurface, the exterior surface having a tapered portion and a linearportion adjacent to the tapered portion. In various aspects, the secondend of the elongated tubular body comprises a second opening configuredto allow disinfected water out of the linear portion of the exteriorsurface. The water treatment dispensing apparatus also includes atubular member connecting the second end of the elongated tubular bodyof the cartridge to the cap of the container for carrying disinfected ortreated water from the second end to the third passage in the cap and aconduit connected to the cap in communication with the third passage inthe cap for carrying water from the cap to a selected location in thedental unit.

In other embodiments, methods of disinfecting water for a dental unitusing the cartridge described in this application are provided. Themethod comprises connecting a cartridge operable to disinfect a sourceof water to a treated dental unit water line and supplying thedisinfected dental water from the second opening of the exterior surfaceto at least one dental unit treated water line. The cartridge operableto disinfect the source of water includes an elongated tubular bodyhaving a first end, a second end opposite the first end and an internalchamber disposed between the first end and the second end. The first endof the elongated tubular body has a fluid inlet and the second end ofthe elongated tubular body has a fluid outlet. The first end of theelongated tubular body comprises an end cap having a substantiallycircular opening in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and theinternal chamber. A disinfectant material is disposed in the internalchamber of the body. A first filter is disposed in the elongated tubularbody adjacent to the substantially circular opening and adjacent to thedisinfectant material, and a second filter is disposed in the elongatedtubular body adjacent the second end and in fluid communication with theinternal chamber and the fluid outlet. The second end comprises anexterior surface, the exterior surface having a tapered portion, alinear portion adjacent to the tapered portion and a second openingconfigured to allow disinfected water out of the linear portion of theexterior surface to at least one water line.

In some embodiments, there is a kit for treating water, the kitcomprising a cartridge comprising an elongated tubular body having afirst end, a second end opposite the first end and an internal chamberextending between the first end and the second end. The first end of theelongated tubular body having a fluid inlet and the second end of theelongated tubular body having a fluid outlet. The first end of theelongated tubular body comprises an end cap having a substantiallycircular opening in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and theinternal chamber. A water treatment medium is disposed in the internalchamber of the elongated tubular body. A first filter is disposed in theelongated tubular body adjacent to the substantially circular openingand adjacent to the water treatment medium, and a second filter isdisposed in the elongated tubular body adjacent the second end and influid communication with the internal chamber and the fluid outlet. Thekit further comprises a tubular member configured for connection to awater bottle or a dental unit.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of variousembodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodimentswill be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In part, other aspects, features, benefits and advantages of theembodiments will be apparent with regard to the following description,appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water disinfectant cartridge;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the waterdisinfectant cartridge having a first wire screen and a second wirescreen;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water disinfectant cartridge havingdust caps;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the water disinfectant cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the water disinfectant cartridge of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end cap having swaging;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the end cap having swaging;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the end cap;

FIG. 9 is top plan view of the water disinfectant cartridge having dustcaps of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the water disinfectant cartridge havingdust caps of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is front elevational view of a water treatment dispensingapparatus having a water disinfectant cartridge;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view partly cross-sectioned bottle of thewater treatment dispensing apparatus showing the water disinfectantcartridge; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the top plan view of FIG. 11 employed with adynamic dental instrument or dental unit.

It is to be understood that the figures are not drawn to scale. Further,the relation between objects in a figure may not be to scale, and may infact have a reverse relationship as to size. The figures are intended tobring understanding and clarity to the structure of each object shown,and thus, some features may be exaggerated in order to illustrate aspecific feature of a structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unlessotherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,percentages or proportions of materials, reaction conditions, and othernumerical values used in the specification and claims, are to beunderstood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parametersset forth in the following specification and attached claims areapproximations that may vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by the present application. At the very least, andnot as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine ofequivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter shouldat least be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding the numerical ranges and parameters set forth herein,the broad scope of the application are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed hereinare to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumedtherein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes any and allsubranges between (and including) the minimum value of 1 and the maximumvalue of 10, that is, any and all subranges having a minimum value ofequal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than10, e.g., 5.5 to 10.

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of thisapplication, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the application will be described in conjunction withthe illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that they are notintended to limit the application to those embodiments. On the contrary,the application is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications,and equivalents that may be included within the application as definedby the appended claims.

It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims,the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unlessexpressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. Thus, for example,reference to “a filter” includes one, two, three or more filters.

We refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are notnecessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements aredesignated by the same reference numeral through the several views.

Referring to the drawings in general, it will be understood that theillustrations are to describing particular embodiments of the disclosureand are not intended to be limiting thereto.

While most of the terms used herein will be recognizable to those ofordinary skill in the art, it should be understood that when notexplicitly defined, terms should be interpreted as adopting a meaningpresently accepted by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Cartridge for Disinfecting Water

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge 10for treating water as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The treated watercan be used in many applications requiring water without microorganismor contaminants, such as biofilms, for example, in dental applications.The cartridge 10 comprises an elongated tubular body 12 having a firstend 14 comprising a fluid inlet 23, a second end 16 opposite the firstend 14 comprising a fluid outlet 25, and an internal chamber 24 (shownin the cross-section) extending between the first and second ends ofelongated tubular body 12 and in fluid communication with the fluidinlet 23 and the fluid outlet 25. Body 12 is a tubular one-piece memberof polymeric material, such as rigid polyethylene or like materials thatare resistant to build up of organic matter inside the tubular member.In some embodiments, the body and/or tubular member can be made ofpolyurethane, polyurea, polyether(amide), PEBA, thermoplasticelastomeric olefin, copolyester, and styrenic thermoplastic elastomer,steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, metal alloys with highnon-ferrous metal content and a low relative proportion of iron, carbonfiber, glass fiber, plastics, ceramics or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride can be used asmaterials for elongated tubular body 12. The elongated tubular body 12also has a cylindrical side wall 13 surrounding and defining theinternal chamber 24. The first end 14 of the elongated tubular body 12includes an end cap 18 having a substantially circular opening 20 influid communication with the fluid inlet 23 and the internal chamber 24.A water treatment medium 22 is disposed in the internal chamber 24 ofthe elongated tubular body 12 for treating water 46 in the internalchamber 24 of the body 12; a first filter 26 is disposed in theelongated tubular body 12 adjacent to the substantially circular opening20 and adjacent to the water treatment medium 22; a second filter 28 isdisposed in the elongated tubular body 12 adjacent to the second end 16and in fluid communication with the internal chamber 24 and the fluidoutlet to allow flow of treated water out of the elongated tubular body12. The diameter of the first end 14 is larger than the diameter of thelinear portion 34, which will allow aiding in the water treatment. Insome applications, there is a first gap 11 located between first filter26 and water treatment material 22. A second gap 15 is disposed betweenwater treatment material 22 and second filter 28. In other applications,water treatment material 22 is flush with both, first filter 26 andsecond filter 28. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the first filter and thesecond filter are disposed within or adjacent to the internal chamber,however, in some embodiments, the first filter and the second filter canbe adjacent to the first end and the second end. In some embodiments,the first filter and the second filter can be a screen and/or can bemonolithic with the body.

In some embodiments, the end cap 18 further comprises an interiorsurface 19. The interior surface 19 has swaging at discrete positions 62of the interior surface as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2A and 7. In someaspects, the first opening 20 in the elongated tubular body 12 can havea shape other than substantially circular, for example, withoutlimitation triangular, square, rhombic, irregular polygon as long as themiddle portion of the opening is not obstructed. In other aspects, thefirst opening 20 is circular having a diameter from about 4 mm to about6 mm. Arrow 51 shows the direction of water flow into cartridge 10.Arrow 52 illustrates the direction of treated water flow out ofcartridge 10.

The end cap 18 further comprises, consists essentially of or consists ofan interior surface 19, the interior surface having swaging 62 atdiscrete positions of the interior surface 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 6,7 and 8. The interior surface 19 of the end cap 18 is swaged over theedges of the first filter 26 to hold the first filter 26 in position. Insome embodiments, the material of the end cap 18 is displaced over theedge of the first filter 26. As a result of the swaging, the firstfilter 26 is configured to withstand a minimal axial push out force of 2lbs without dislodging the first filter from the end cap. The interiorsurface 19 of end cap 18 can be tubular in some cases and include aheight of from about 5 mm, 6, 7, 8, 9 mm to about 10 mm surrounding thefirst filter 26. In various applications, the end cap 18 is sonic moldedat the first end 14 to the elongated tubular body 12. The resulting weldjoint is strong and can withstand a minimum axial force of about 40 lbswithout failing.

First filter 26 is located in the interior surface 19 of end cap 18 andcan be used to remove organic, inorganic and foreign materials from thewater in the internal chamber 24 of body 12.

The first filter 26 can be, in some cases, a cylindrical polypropylenemember having small porosity such as 5 microns. Other types of filterscan be used to remove particulates from the water flowing throughopening 20 of first end 14 into chamber 24. First filter 26 can beremoved from interior surface 19 of end cap 18 and replaced with anotherfilter. First filter 26 can extend into internal chamber 24. Firstfilter 26 can include activated charcoal that functions to removechlorine and chlorine compounds from the water flowing out of the filterinto internal chamber 24. First filter 26 can be made from differentmaterials including without limitations polyester, polyurethane, bondedfoam or a sponge material, for example, foamed plastic polymers, lowdensity polyether or PVA.

As shown in FIG. 2, internal chamber 24 contains a bed of watertreatment medium 22, in some cases, a disinfectant material that hasgermicidal functions to neutralize and destroy water contaminantsincluding bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. The disinfectantmaterial 22 also supplies a residual disinfectant in the water flowingout of cartridge 10. The residual disinfectant eluted from thedisinfectant material 22 neutralizes water contaminants in internalchamber 24, hose 537 and hand piece 538 as illustrated in FIG. 13. Thematerials of hose 537 absorb disinfectant until the inside of its wallsbecome passivated or saturated with disinfectant to prevent microbialadhesion and biofilm slime in hose 537. The water spray dispensed fromhand piece 538 includes the disinfectant which destroys oral flora andreduces the potential cross-infection between dental patients andprevents disease transmission to the patients.

An example of water treatment medium or disinfectant material 22 can be(i) iodine; (ii) an iodinated anionic exchange resin; (iii) a resinmatrix iodinated with elemental iodine; (iv) a resin containingpolyiodide; or (v) silver as further described below. A continuousrelease of iodine into the water can neutralize disease causingbacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Iodine is an effectivedisinfectant for water borne pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Analternative disinfectant material can be an iodinated anionic exchangeresin manufactured and sold by MCV Technologies International, Inc. ofBelleville, Ill. This resin releases a specific and consistent amount ofiodine into the water flowing in internal chamber 24 to neutralize themicrobial contaminates in the water. The disinfectant material 22 can bea resin matrix iodinated with elemental iodine, to a level of 2 to 6 ppmof iodine in water flowing through the resin. The resin containsapproximately 46 percent by weight active iodine and 54 percent byweight of inactive ingredients. The effluent iodine removes biofilm fromhose 537 and hand piece 538 and performs a germicidal function thereon.The disinfectant material 22 can be silver or a silver composition thatcontains silver and a metal or a silver impregnated activated carbonthat maintains sufficient amounts of silver ions in the water toeffectively disinfect the water. Examples of silver self-regulatingwater purifications are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,223,149 and6,254,894.

In certain aspects, a first wire screen 66 can be inter-disposed betweenthe first filter 26 and the circular opening 20. FIG. 2A illustrates anembodiment of cartridge 10 having a first wire screen 66 and a secondwire screen 68. Second end 16 can comprise a second wire screen 68disposed adjacent to the second filter 28 as illustrated in FIG. 2A. Insome cases, second wire screen 68 is disposed between second filter 28and disinfectant material 22. In various embodiments, cartridge 10 canbe placed in a container 511, for example a bottle, as illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge 10for disinfecting water 46. Cartridge 10 comprises, consists essentiallyof or consists of an elongated tubular body 12 having a first end 14comprising a fluid inlet 23, a second end 16 opposite first end 14comprising a fluid outlet 25, and an internal chamber 24 extendingbetween the first end and the second end of elongated tubular body 12,the internal chamber 24 being in fluid communication with the fluidinlet 23 and the fluid outlet 25. As discussed before, first end 14 ofelongated tubular body 12 comprises an end cap 18, which has a firstopening 20 in fluid communication with the fluid inlet 23 and theinternal chamber 24 to allow flow of water into the elongated tubularbody. First opening 20 is, in some cases, substantially circular orcircular. A water treatment medium or disinfectant material 22 isdisposed in internal chamber 24 of elongated tubular body 12 fordisinfecting water 46 in the internal chamber of the body. First filter26 is disposed in the elongated tubular body 12 adjacent to the firstopening 20 and adjacent to the disinfectant material 22. Second filter28 is disposed in the elongated tubular body 12 adjacent second end 16and in fluid communication with internal chamber 24 and the fluid outlet25 to allow flow of water 46 out of the elongated tubular body. Secondend 16 comprises an exterior surface 30, the exterior surface having atapered portion 32 and a linear portion 34 adjacent to the taperedportion 32. In some embodiments, the tapered portion 32 reduces theamount of material needed for the body and also is easier to mold.

Exterior surface 30 includes a second opening 36 configured to engagewith a dental water line. Second opening 36 can have a diameter fromabout 1 mm to about 2 mm illustrated as D₄ in FIG. 2A. In someapplications, exterior surface 30 can be a luer fitting, in some cases,a male luer fitting. In various applications, the cartridges describedin this application also include a first dust cap 42 and a second dustcap 44 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10. Dust cap 42 covers first end14 and dust cap 44 covers nipple 38 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In various embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, exteriorsurface 30 comprises an annular wall 48 and a nipple 38. Annular wall 48can surround nipple 38, wherein the nipple is disposed adjacent secondfilter 28 at the end of linear portion 34 of the annular wall. In manyapplications, annular wall 48 is spaced from the nipple to allow atubular member or a dental water line 514 (FIG. 12) to be mounted tonipple 38. In some aspects, the interior length of the annular wall canvary from about 5 mm to about 9 mm, in particular from about 5 mm, 6, 7,8 to about 9 mm. In certain aspects, annular wall 48 includes threads 40formed on an interior surface thereof (FIG. 2), the threads 40 beingconfigured for cooperating with a dental unit water line 541 (FIG. 12).

In certain embodiments, the diameter D₁ of elongated tubular body 12 ofcartridge 10 varies from about 11 mm to about 17 mm, in particular, fromabout 11 mm, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 to about 17 mm as illustrated in FIG. 3.The length of elongated tubular body 12 can also vary from about 120 mmto about 135 mm, in particular from about 120 mm, 121, 122, 123, 124,125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, to about 137 mm,which length may include first end 14. In other embodiments, the totallength of cartridge 10 including the tip of nipple 38 but excluding anydust caps varies from about 150 mm to 160 mm, in particular from about150 mm, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159 to about 160 mm.

Exterior surface 30 has a tapered portion 32 and a linear portion 34.The tapered portion is reduced gradually from elongated tubular body 12to linear portion 34 at an angle sloping to about 45 degrees to thehorizontal of tubular body 12. Linear portion 34 of exterior surface 30has a diameter D₃ varying from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, in particularfrom about 5 mm, 6, 7, 8, 9 mm to about 10 mm. Diameter D₂ of taperedportion 32 will decrease from D₁ to D₃ as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thelength of linear portion 34 can vary from about 10 mm to about 21 mm, inparticular from about 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm,17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm to about 21 mm. Nipple 38 can exceed thelength of annular wall 48 by about 1 mm or 2 mm.

In various embodiments, cartridge 10 having an exterior surface whichhas a tapered portion and a linear portion adjacent to the taperedportion can be placed in a container that includes water fordisinfection, for example, a bottle. As before, the disinfectantmaterial can include (i) iodine; (ii) an iodinated anionic exchangeresin; (iii) a resin matrix iodinated with elemental iodine; (iv) aresin containing polyiodide: or (v) silver.

The present disclosure also provides a cartridge 10 for disinfectingwater 46. Cartridge 10 comprises an elongated tubular body 12 having afirst end 14 comprising a fluid inlet 23, a second end 16 opposite thefirst end comprising a fluid outlet 25, and an internal chamber 24disposed between the first end and the second end of tubular body 12 influid communication with the fluid inlet 23 and the fluid outlet 25. Thefirst end of the elongated tubular body comprising an end cap 18, whichhas a substantially circular opening 20 in fluid communication with thefluid inlet 23 and the internal chamber 24 to receive water and allowflow into elongated tubular body 12. A disinfectant material 22 isdisposed in the internal chamber of the body for disinfecting water inthe internal chamber of the body. First filter 26 is disposed inelongated tubular body 12 adjacent to substantially circular opening 20and adjacent to the disinfectant material 22. A second filter 28 isdisposed in elongated tubular body 12 adjacent the second end and influid communication with the internal chamber 24 and the fluid outlet 25to receive water 46 flowing from the first end of the elongated tubularbody. Second end 16 of elongated tubular body 12 comprises an exteriorsurface 30, the exterior surface having a tapered portion 32 and alinear portion 34 adjacent to tapered portion 32. Exterior surface 30includes a second opening 36 configured for releasing treated ordisinfected water out of the linear portion of the exterior surface toat least one water line, for example, a dental unit water line. Arrow 51in FIGS. 2 and 2A shows the inflow of untreated water from first end 14to second end 16 of cartridge 10. Arrow 52 shows the outflow of treatedwater from second opening 36 of exterior surface 30. In various aspects,linear portion 34 of exterior surface 30 can be a luer type fitting forcooperating with a dental water line.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method ofdisinfecting water, the method comprising: supplying water to acartridge comprising an elongated tubular body 12 as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 2A, the tubular body having a first end, a second endopposite the first end, and an internal chamber 24 disposed between thefirst end and the second end. The first end of the elongated tubularbody 12 has a fluid inlet 23 and the second end of the elongated tubularbody has a fluid outlet 25. The first end 14 of elongated tubular body12 comprises an end cap 18 having a substantially circular opening 20 influid communication with the elongated tubular body 12 to receive water46 and allow flow into the elongated tubular body. A disinfectantmaterial is disposed in internal chamber 24 of body 12 for disinfectingwater in the internal chamber of the body; a first filter 26 is disposedin elongated tubular body 12 adjacent to the substantially circularopening 20 and adjacent to disinfectant material 22; and a second filter28 is disposed in the elongated tubular body 12 adjacent to second end16 and in fluid communication with the internal chamber and the fluidoutlet 25 to receive water flowing from the first end of the elongatedtubular body. Second end 16 comprises an exterior surface 30, theexterior surface having a tapered portion 32, a linear portion 34, thelinear portion adjacent to the tapered portion and a second opening 36configured to allow the disinfected water out of the linear portion ofthe exterior surface to at least one water line. The treated ordisinfected water can be supplied to a dental unit. In some instances,cartridge 10 is placed in a container containing water that needs to betreated for use in a dental unit.

Water Treatment Dispensing Apparatus

In various aspects, a water treatment dispensing apparatus 510 isprovided as illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. The water treatmentdispensing apparatus comprises a container 511 which has an internalcompartment 516 for holding water 520 and a neck 513. The neck has apassage 514 open to compartment 516. A cap 517 is releasably mounted onneck 513 of container 511. The cap has three passages, a first 523, asecond 534 and a third passage 536, all open to passage 514 in neck 513.A water supply unit 544 for directing water 520 to first passage 523 incap 517 to supply water to compartment 516 of container 511. An airpressure supply device, for example, an air pump 528 can be used fordirecting pressurized air to the second passage 534 in cap 517 andcompartment 516 of container 511 to subject the water in compartment 516of container 511 to air pressure.

Cartridge 10 for treatment or disinfection of water as described aboveand shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A can be placed inside container 511, which,in some cases, can be a bottle. Cartridge 10 comprises an elongatedtubular body 12 which has a first end 14 comprising a fluid inlet 23, asecond end 16 opposite the first end comprising a fluid outlet 25, andan internal chamber 24 disposed between the first end and the secondend. The first end of the elongated tubular body comprises an end cap 18having a substantially circular opening 20 in fluid communication withthe fluid inlet 23 and the internal chamber to receive water 520 andallow water flow into the elongated tubular body. A disinfectantmaterial 22 is disposed in internal chamber 24 of body 12 fordisinfecting water 520 in the internal chamber of the body. A firstfilter 26 is disposed in elongated tubular body 12 adjacent to thesubstantially circular opening 20 and adjacent to disinfectant material22. A second filter 28 is disposed in elongated tubular body 12 adjacentto second end 16 and in fluid communication with the internal chamberand the fluid outlet 25 to receive water flowing from first end 14 ofelongated tubular body 12. Second end 16 comprises an exterior surface30 which has a tapered portion 32, a liner portion 34 adjacent to thetapered portion and a second opening 36 configured to allow disinfectedwater out of the linear portion of the exterior surface. A tubularmember 541 connects second end 16 of elongated tubular body 12 to cap517 for carrying disinfected water from second end 16 to third passage536 in cap 517. A conduit connected to cap 517 in communication withthird passage 536 in the cap is used for carrying water from the cap toa selected location in the dental unit.

With further reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, a water treatmentdispensing apparatus 510 is illustrated. Apparatus 510 has a containeror bottle 511 joined to a housing or cap 517. Container 511 has acylindrical side wall 512 and a neck 513 surrounding an internalcompartment 516. Neck 513 includes a passage 514 open to compartment 516and the bottom of cap 517. Neck 513 and cap 517 can cooperate releasablywith connectors to a dental unit (not shown). In some aspects, a bracket518 can be used to support cap 517. Other structures can be used to holdcap 517 and container 511 in a fixed position. Cap 517 can be connectedthrough a tube 521 to a source for supplying water 520 into compartment516. As shown in FIG. 13, a water supply unit 544 directs water intotube 521. A valve 546 incorporated in tube 521 can be manually operatedto regulate the flow of water into chamber 516. Water supply unit 544can be ordinary tap water from a municipal water system. In someapplications, distilled or deionized water in a bottle can be dispensedinto compartment 516.

Compressed air is supplied to cap 517 from an air supply unit having anair pump 528 driven with an electric motor controlled with a manuallyoperated controller 529. Air is directed to a check valve 531 located ina tube 532 to direct air to a passage 534 which opens neck passage 514.As shown in FIG. 12, air in compartment 516 applies pressure, shown byarrows 550 on water 520 to force the water to flow into a waterpurification cartridge 10 as shown by arrow 551. Cartridge 10 isconnected to a tube 541 joined to cap 517. Compartment 516 has a passage536 open to tube 541 and a flexible conduit or hose 537 operable totransport purified water shown by arrow 552 from container 511 to adental hand instrument 538. Dental instrument 538 shown as a dental handpiece can include an air/water syringe, ultrasonic scaler or otherdynamic dental instruments. In some cases, the air pressure incompartment 516 can be monitored with an air pressure gauge 547 mountedon cap 517.

In some embodiments, a kit is provided including the cartridgecomprising an elongated tubular body having a first end, a second endopposite the first end and an internal chamber extending between thefirst end and the second end, the first end of the elongated tubularbody having a fluid inlet 23 and the second end of the elongated tubularbody having a fluid outlet 25, the first end of the elongated tubularbody comprising an end cap having a substantially circular opening influid communication with the fluid inlet 23 and the internal chamber toallow flow of water into the elongated tubular body; a water treatmentmedium disposed in the internal chamber of the body for treating waterin the internal chamber of the body; a first filter disposed in theelongated tubular body adjacent to the substantially circular openingand adjacent to the water treatment medium; and a second filter disposedin the elongated tubular body adjacent the second end and in fluidcommunication with the internal chamber and the fluid outlet 25 to allowflow of water out of the elongated tubular body; and a tubular membershown as a tube 541 configured for connection to a water bottle or adental unit. The tubular member can engage a water bottle, a pressuresource, a water source or a combination thereof. The tube can have adiameter smaller than the diameter of the first end 14 shown in FIG. 1.The tubular member can engage the leur fitting shown 39 in FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, the tubular member can be a straw that can engage withleur fitting 39. The kit may include additional parts along with aninstruction booklet, which may include a chart that shows how to connectthe cartridge to a bottle or water supply. A cover of the kit mayinclude illustrations on attaching the cartridge to a water supply,bottle or a tube. A clear plastic cover may be placed over the kit tomaintain sterility.

Water Treatment Agents

Iodine, an iodinated anionic exchange resin, a resin matrix iodinatedwith elemental iodine, a resin containing polyiodide or silver areeffective disinfectants for water borne pathogenic bacteria and viruses.Iodine is generally provided from an iodophor source or as an aqueoussolution by the use of KI to aid the dissolution of iodine. Mosttreatments employ pHs lower or higher than about 9.

Dissolved iodine hydrolyzes in aqueous solutions to form hypoiodousacid, HOI, in amounts proportional to the pH of the solution, whereinabove pH 8.5, iodine is present almost exclusively as HOI. Bothdissolved I₂ and HOI possess antipathogenic properties. At pHs 5-7,iodine, as I₂, exhibits antibacterial action and at higher pHs, e.g.7-10, HOI is an efficient virucide. Above pH 8, HOI decomposes slowly toform iodide and iodate ions, especially in the presence of dissolvediodides.

Various tinctures of iodine may be generated upon dissolving the solidin organic liquids such as ethanol, acetone, diethyl ether, toluene,p-xylene, benzene and carbon disulphide. Additionally, many organicpreparations of iodine may be generated by reacting appropriate organicswith iodine, e.g., iodoform, methylene iodide. Among the most popularcommercial iodine-organic complexes are the PVP-iodines, iodoforms andpovidone-iodine preparations, which are used as detergents andantiseptics. Most of these compounds exhibit germicidal action upondilution in water, whereupon the iodine is hydrated and released intothe water, usually as molecular iodine. Many biocidal, organic iodinecompounds are commonly referred to as iodophors.

Iodine-bearing resins are made by attaching I₂, tri-, penta- andhepta-iodide ions to quaternary ammonium, styrene-divinyl benzene,cross-linked anion-exchange resins. Upon elution with water, thepolyiodides and iodine are released from the resin via anion-exchangemechanisms. These resins are thought to operate on a demand-type basis,where iodine will only be released in the presence of a germicidal loadin the water passing through the resins, by the following mechanisms:(1) iodine release aided by an internal exchange mechanism involving 12transfer through a polyiodide intermediate; (2) hydrolysis of iodine onthe resin to produce HOI; and (3) simple release of I₂ by theresin-polyiodide combination and/or organic resin matrix.

In some implementations, the metal ions used to disinfect water aresilver ions, salts, or compounds. Examples of silver ion salts orcompounds include, colloidal silver, silver carbonate, silver chlorate,silver perchlorate, silver phosphate, silver bromate, silver iodate,silver periodate, silver nitrate, silver nitrite, silver citrate, silverthiosulfate, silver oxide, silver peroxide, silver sulfide, silverfluoride, silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodide, silvercarboxylates, and silver protein. In other aspects, colloidal silver,silver oxide, silver phosphate, silver carbonate, silver iodate, silvercitrate and silver chloride can be used as disinfectants of the watersupply. It will be appreciated that other silver ions or ion salts maybe used. It will also be appreciated that other metals, such as zinc,gold or copper may be used. The metal ion salts or compounds are at alow concentration that is not likely to cause damage to soft tissue orotherwise be harmful to a patient. Water continuously treated with metalions and/or metal ion salts, or metal ion compounds, in many cases,silver ions, will be non-toxic, non-irritating, non-corrosive, and willnot affect enamel or dentin bonding agents. The treated water will nothave in excess of 200 CFU/ml of heterotrophic bacteria.

The water treatment of this disclosure includes treatment agents thatattack not only the water-borne bacteria but also, more importantly, thebiofilm bacteria. By eliminating the mature biofilm through a constantsupply of an effective potable biocide, this major source ofcontamination is eliminated. Continuous disinfection of dental unitwater lines will prevent additional biofilm growth and eventually deadbacteria will slough and the biofilm formation will be reversed. As aresult, the chances of periodontal disease formation are also reduced.

Metal ion salts are administered to water reservoir systems by means ofadding the metal ion salt in liquid or solid form. In variousembodiments, the metal ion salt is silver sodium chloride. Concentratedsolutions of ionized silver (colloidal metal) are highly light sensitiveand become oxidized forming a gray to black silver oxide precipitate.Colloidal silver in concentrations generally above 10 ppm will turnyellow and become brown at even higher concentrations. A stabilizedsilver halide solution, for example, silver sodium chloride will remainclear to white in color at concentrations exceeding 100 ppm. The silversodium chloride solution can be prepared into an anhydrous state byevaporating off the water. The silver sodium chloride powder can befurther processed into pressed tablets. In exemplary embodiments, theconcentration of metal ion in an aqueous environment is in the range of1 ppm to 10 ppm so as to cause disinfection of existing live bacteriaestablished in the dental unit water line. In other embodiments, theconcentration of metal ion in an aqueous environment is frequently inthe range of 0.02 ppm to 1 ppm so as to cause bacteriostatic conditionsin the dental unit.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide for continuousdisinfection of water added to a dental unit reservoir by administeringthe metal ion salt into the reservoir in the liquid, powder, or tabletform. The water may be from any of the previously described sources.

In certain implementations, metal ions are continuously delivered bymeans of a flow through metal ion impregnated resin media. Metal ionsare administered by passing source water through a water-permeablecontainer or element having received therein a metal ion sustainedrelease source. The metal ion sustained release source may be, forexample, an amorphous soluble glass, a zeolite resin or styrene resin(e.g., an acrylic divinylbenzene structure with carboxylic exchangegroups) containing metal ion(s). The amount of metal ion sustainedrelease source required is dependent on the desired effective life spanand flow rate of water. The metal ion sustained release source may beinstalled at the dental operatory unit plumbed directly into a municipalwater source or it may be installed in the reservoir drop tube allowingfor continuous treatment of batch water placed into the reservoir. Alarger metal ion sustained release source may be installed at thebuilding water source point-of-entry or within a water purificationsystem.

Implementations described herein are included to demonstrate particularaspects of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated by those ofskill in the art that the implementations described herein merelyrepresent exemplary implementation of the disclosure. Those of ordinaryskill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciatethat many changes can be made in the specific implementations describedand still obtain a like or similar result without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure.

From the foregoing description, one of ordinary skill in the art caneasily ascertain the essential characteristics of this disclosure, andwithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications to adapt the disclosure to various usages andconditions. The implementations described hereinabove are meant to beillustrative only and should not be taken as limiting of the scope ofthe disclosure, which is defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for disinfecting water, the cartridgecomprising an elongated tubular body having a first end comprising afluid inlet, a second end opposite the first end, the second endcomprising a fluid outlet, and an internal chamber extending between thefirst end and the second end and in fluid communication with the fluidinlet and the fluid outlet, the first end of the elongated tubular bodycomprising an end cap having a first opening influid communication withthe elongated tubular body, a disinfectant material disposed in theinternal chamber of the body for disinfecting water, a first filterdisposed in the elongated tubular body adjacent to the first opening andadjacent to the disinfectant material, and a second filter disposed inthe elongated tubular body adjacent the second end of the elongatedtubular body and in fluid communication with the internal chamber andthe fluid outlet, the second end of the elongated tubular bodycomprising an exterior surface, the exterior surface having a taperedportion and a linear portion adjacent to the tapered portion, thetapered portion having a large diameter end and a small diameter endopposite the large diameter end, the large diameter end adjoined to thesecond end of the elongated tubular body, and the small diameter endadjoined to the linear portion wherein the exterior surface comprisesanannular wall and a nipple configured for engagement with a dentalwater line, the annular wall having the tapered portion and the linearportion adjacent the tapered portion, the annular wall.
 2. The cartridgeof claim 1, wherein (i) the exterior surface of the second end comprisesa second opening, (ii) the exterior surface of the second end comprisesa luer fitting configured to engage with a dental water line, or (iii)the first filterand the second filter are disposed in the internalchamber adjacent to the disinfectant material; surrounding the nipple,the nipple disposed at an end of the linear portion of the annular wall.3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the annular wall is spaced from thenipple to allow a tubular member or a dental water line to be mounted tothe nipple.
 4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the annular wallfurther comprises threads formed on an interior surface thereof, thethreads configured for cooperating with a dental unit water line.
 5. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the linear portion of the annular wallcomprises a luer fitting configured to cooperate with a dental waterline.
 6. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a wire screendisposed adjacent to the second filter.
 7. The cartridge of claim 1,wherein the diameter of the elongated tubular body is from about 11 mmto about 17 mm.
 8. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the elongatedtubular body has a length from about 120 mm to about 135 mm.
 9. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the linear portion of the exterior surfacehas a diameter from about 5 mm to about 10 mm.
 10. The cartridge ofclaim 1, wherein the linear portion of the exterior surface has a lengthfrom about 10 mm to about 21 mm.
 11. The cartridge of claim 1, whereinthe disinfectant material comprises (i) iodine, (ii) an iodinatedanionic exchange resin, (iii) a resin matrix iodinated with elementaliodine, (iv) a resin containing polyiodide, or (v) silver.
 12. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the first and second filters comprisepolyester, bonded foam or sponge material.
 13. The cartridge of claim 1,further comprising a first dust cap configured to cover the first endand a second dust cap configured to cover the nipple of the exteriorsurface.
 14. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein an end of the linearportion includes an end wall having a second opening being the fluidoutlet, and the nipple being adjoined to an exterior surface of the endwall and surrounding the second opening, the annular wall adjoining theend of the linear portion and coaxially surrounding the nipple, and aninternal surface of the annular wall being threaded, and an upperportion of the second filter being surrounded by the linear portion andabutting the end wall.